Daniel Day-Lewis Awarded Best Actor Oscar for 'Lincoln'

Daniel Day-Lewis wins the Oscar for best actor for his role in 'Lincoln'.

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3 months ago

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Entertainment

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Daniel Day Lewis

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Transcript

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: Daniel Day-Lewis won a record third best actor Oscar on Sunday for playing U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in "Lincoln." Day-Lewis, 55, was the outright favorite to win the Academy Award for his quiet, intense performance as one of America's most revered presidents as he battled to end slavery and the U.S. Civil War. The British-born actor with dual Anglo-Irish citizenship won virtually every award in the run-up to Sunday's Oscar ceremony, including a Golden Globe, British BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild statuettes. Known for months of meticulous preparation, Day-Lewis is already the holder of best actor Oscars for his roles as a paraplegic Irish writer in "My Left Foot" (1989) and a greedy, early 20th century oil baron in "There Will Be Blood" (2007). His win for "Lincoln" made him the first man to win three best actor Oscars in the 85-year history of the Academy Awards. The tall, intellectual actor also became the first person to win an Oscar for playing a U.S. President. Day-Lewis chose to adopt a high-pitched speaking voice for Lincoln, in contrast to the dramatic, booming tones associated with the Civil War president in previous movies and TV portraits. But it was the humanity he brought to Lincoln that earned most critical praise and his success in bringing to life an American icon in a different, subtle way for a new generation.